The basilica grew over some ancient Roman constructions disposed on several levels with 20 different rooms belonging to a pagan building, a Christian house and an oratory. The Christian house belonged to John and Paul, two court dignitaries under Constantine II, who were martyred by Julian the Apostate. Immediately after it the house was turned into a place of cult and two Christian senators Byzantius and his son Pammachius founded here a "titulus", i.e. a center of religious and social activity, and later, in 398, a basilica.

During the invasion of Alaric in 410 and of Normans in 1084 it was gravely damaged. In 1099-1118 the convent of the church was reconstructed and fortified, and a 45m high bell-tower was added. In the 13th century future pope Honorius III built a gallery over the portico and added a ring of decorative columns in the apse. The 12th century Ionic portico has eight antique columns and was closed by an iron grille in 1704. The 13th century Cosmatesque doorway is flanked by two lions. In 1598 was created a beautiful lacunar ceiling; in the 17th century the schola cantorum and cyborium were eliminated; and in 1715-1718 architect A.Canevari and Andrea Garagni brought the ultimate changed in the look of the church.

In the center of the apse is a big fresco by Pomarancio (1588) representing "Redentore in gloria". Under the High Altar is a splendid ancient porphyry urn with the relics of St John and Paul. A tomb-slab in the nave commemorates the burial place of the two martyrs to whom the church is dedicated. In the vestibule are two notable busts of cardinal Fabrizio Paolucci and Innocent XII, by P.Bracci.

The Chapel of St Paul of the Cross is dedicated to the founder of the Passionists, a congregation to which the church and its monastery is assigned since 1773. The chapel is on a Greek-cross plan and is decorated with the precious marbles and two columns presented by king of Egypt to Pius IX. The chapel was built in 1857-1880 by the project of Filippo and Vincenzo Martinucci. The 12th century convent was erected above remains of the Temple of Claudius.

P.zza SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 13

067005745

M Colosseo

BUS  81  117  673